Gasperini hails Roma's defensive fortress as only Arsenal concedes fewer goals across Europe's top five leagues

Roma face Como in a tactical battle between Fabregas and Gasperini, two coaches with contrasting philosophies seeking to dictate play. Gasperini is considering deploying Rodrigo Mora on the trequarti in support of Dybala and Malen, a move with both technical and tactical significance. Against Como's four-man defence, this setup would allow Mora to exploit space between the lines and combine quickly with two players whose strengths complement each other: Dybala's ability to read situations others miss and Malen's capacity to attack space immediately. Marten de Roon is expected to anchor midfield, providing equilibrium and tactical knowledge of Gasperini's systems crucial against Como's possession-based approach. Evan N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi in defence, with Nahuel Molina and Wesley operating on the flanks. The match's decisive factor may lie on the wings. Como build superiority through passing and draw pressure to free players in space; Roma counterpress through individual aggression and advanced recovery. The fullbacks will be fundamental, needing to support attacking play without leaving the corridors Como exploits. Molina and Wesley could prove decisive both in pressing and by forcing Como's wingers to defend, preventing Fabregas's side from developing their game with continuity. The sides have met twice previously in contrasting circumstances. At the Olimpico, Roma imposed themselves through intense pressing, with Wesley scoring the decisive goal. In the return fixture, a side lacking clear attacking reference points gradually lost shape and ceded initiative to Como. However, this Roma present different offensive possibilities. The presence of Malen, Dybala's talent and Mora's potential deployment offer Gasperini solutions capable of troubling a well-organised team like Fabregas's. Roma must start aggressively, press immediately and prevent Como from gaining confidence in their passing patterns.

Andrea Stramaccioni, a technical commentator for DAZN and former Roma Primavera manager, has analysed the Como–Roma fixture scheduled for 11 October at 12:30 in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. He positions the match as a contest between two of Inter's principal challengers, noting that both teams strengthened significantly in the final stages of last season and resumed this campaign more competitive, though Inter still hold an edge. Stramaccioni identified the tactical battleground as one between Como's model of technical possession and horizontal circulation—characteristic of Cesc Fabregas's setup—and Roma's aggression, speed and vertical intensity under Gian Piero Gasperini. He said: "The key will favour whoever succeeds in removing more 'certainties' from their opponent, that is, preventing them from playing as they wish by imposing their own rhythm." He predicted Como will employ rotations to draw Roma's key markers out of position and create space in transition. Against this, Roma can replicate their dominant performance in last season's home fixture, when they limited Como's possession and suffocated their creative sources, though he cautioned against an imbalanced approach. On Roma's midfield balance, Stramaccioni highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's potential dual role as a left-sided player who can drop deeper. He noted that in all four Serie A meetings between Gasperini and Fabregas—each won two apiece—a midfielder with an "equilibrating" function has started in Roma's attacking three: Pasalic and Samardzic against Atalanta, Pellegrini against Como. Alternatively, Matías Soulé could be deployed in a match requiring greater defensive sacrifice, as occurred against Inter. On the respective playmakers, Stramaccioni assessed Paulo Dybala and Nicolás Paz: "Both are players who captivate lovers of the game. They are obviously at different stages of their development and have different characteristics. Paulo has won everything; he is a player who determines outcomes and functions as a second striker. Nico has crystalline talent and is more of a number ten, capable of dropping deeper or starting decentred on the right. Today, however, Paulo is slightly more decisive in Roma than Nico is in Como."

Andrea Stramaccioni has outlined his tactical views on the upcoming Como–Roma fixture, arguing that the two clubs have made significant progress since last season but Inter retain an edge. "Senza dubbio sarà una sfida tra due squadre che hanno dimostrato di essere cresciute tantissimo nel finale dello scorso campionato e hanno ricominciato più forti e competitive. L'Inter però ha ancora qualcosa in più, anche se il gap si è ridotto," the DAZN analyst said. Stramaccioni highlighted Roma's home victory over Como last season as a blueprint for the contest. Roma's approach then centred on suffocating Como's quality and cutting off their creative outlets. He noted that Gasperini and Como's Fabregas have met four times in Serie A—each winning twice—and on each occasion Roma fielded a midfielder in the trident to provide tactical balance: Pasalic and Samardžić in the two matches against Atalanta, and Pellegrini in the two against Roma. "Quindi assolutamente sì, Lorenzo sarebbe perfetto per avere maggiore duttilità tattica," Stramaccioni said of Pellegrini's capacity to drop deep and provide equilibrium. He added that if Pellegrini were unavailable, Gasperini could deploy Matías Soulé in a more defensive role during phases without possession, as the club managed against Inter. On the battle between the playmakers, Stramaccioni separated Paulo Dybala and Como's Paz: "Sono due giocatori che fanno innamorare chi ama questo gioco." Dybala, he argued, has won everything and operates as a second forward with greater determining power, while Paz possesses crystalline talent and functions as a number ten capable of dropping deeper or drifting right. "Ad oggi, però, Paulo è leggermente più determinante nella Roma di quanto non lo sia Nico nel Como," Stramaccioni concluded.

Bryan Cristante will miss Roma's away fixture against Como this weekend due to a knee problem. The midfielder has been Gasperini's most-used outfield player so far this season but is working to accelerate his recovery, targeting a return to the squad for the Champions League match against Real Madrid on 14 October. The Como–Roma clash pits two of Serie A's best-resourced ownership groups against each other. The Hartono family have invested approximately €390 million in Como's project, while Dan Friedkin has already exceeded €1 billion in Roma investment since 2020, reaching €1.06 billion when combining the club's acquisition and financial support. Roma's losses have fallen significantly from €219 million in 2021–22 to €54 million in 2024–25. The club remains committed to its new stadium project at Pietralata, scheduled for completion in 2029. The match is shaping up to be an international affair, with only one Italian—Gianluca Mancini—potentially among the 22 starting players, representing 13 different nationalities. Gasperini is evaluating Rodrigo Mora as a possible surprise inclusion, with the midfielder's stock rising particularly because Matías Soulé only returned to full training yesterday and will train with the group today alongside Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi. In defence, the trio of Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is expected to return.

Como and Roma will take the field at the Sinigaglia with a combined squad representing thirteen different nationalities, a striking illustration of Serie A's globalization. Among the twenty-two starting players, Gianluca Mancini could be the only Italian on the pitch, a detail that underscores how heavily Italian clubs now lean on international recruitment. The match will pit Cesc Fabregas's Como side, built around a Spanish core including Milla, Ramon, Valle and Roma's Mario Hermoso, against Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma—a tactical and mental duel of the highest calibre. The broader context reveals that nearly 72 per cent of players deployed across Serie A so far this season are foreign, confirming the league's decisive shift towards international profiles. Both Como and Roma maintain some of the youngest average ages in Italian football despite their cosmopolitan squads. The encounter promises individual battles throughout the pitch: Wesley and Couto's pace against the craft of Paulo Dybala and Nico Paz. With international breaks forcing late team evaluations, Gasperini faces decisions including a possible move to deploy young Rodrigo Mora in an attacking midfield role. The Sinigaglia is preparing to reveal the true alternative to Inter in the title race.

Roma travel to Como on Sunday at 12:30 with the aim of maintaining their position at the top of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Donyell Malen and Wesley are fully fit after both featured in a friendly played today, recovering from earlier absences. Gasperini has minor doubts in defence but expects to field Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso as his back three, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for a place after returning from a trip overseas. Marten de Roon will replace Bryan Cristante in midfield alongside Manu Koné, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the flanks. Rodrigo Mora is set to start as an attacking midfielder, ahead of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Roma's probable formation: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.

Bryan Cristante will miss Roma's away fixture against Como this weekend due to a knee problem. The midfielder has been Gasperini's most-used outfield player so far this season but is working to accelerate his recovery, targeting a return to the squad for the Champions League match against Real Madrid on 14 October. The Como–Roma clash pits two of Serie A's best-resourced ownership groups against each other. The Hartono family have invested approximately €390 million in Como's project, while Dan Friedkin has already exceeded €1 billion in Roma investment since 2020, reaching €1.06 billion when combining the club's acquisition and financial support. Roma's losses have fallen significantly from €219 million in 2021–22 to €54 million in 2024–25. The club remains committed to its new stadium project at Pietralata, scheduled for completion in 2029. The match is shaping up to be an international affair, with only one Italian—Gianluca Mancini—potentially among the 22 starting players, representing 13 different nationalities. Gasperini is evaluating Rodrigo Mora as a possible surprise inclusion, with the midfielder's stock rising particularly because Matías Soulé only returned to full training yesterday and will train with the group today alongside Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi. In defence, the trio of Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is expected to return.

Como and Roma will take the field at the Sinigaglia with a combined squad representing thirteen different nationalities, a striking illustration of Serie A's globalization. Among the twenty-two starting players, Gianluca Mancini could be the only Italian on the pitch, a detail that underscores how heavily Italian clubs now lean on international recruitment. The match will pit Cesc Fabregas's Como side, built around a Spanish core including Milla, Ramon, Valle and Roma's Mario Hermoso, against Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma—a tactical and mental duel of the highest calibre. The broader context reveals that nearly 72 per cent of players deployed across Serie A so far this season are foreign, confirming the league's decisive shift towards international profiles. Both Como and Roma maintain some of the youngest average ages in Italian football despite their cosmopolitan squads. The encounter promises individual battles throughout the pitch: Wesley and Couto's pace against the craft of Paulo Dybala and Nico Paz. With international breaks forcing late team evaluations, Gasperini faces decisions including a possible move to deploy young Rodrigo Mora in an attacking midfield role. The Sinigaglia is preparing to reveal the true alternative to Inter in the title race.

Roma travel to Como on Sunday at 12:30 with the aim of maintaining their position at the top of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Donyell Malen and Wesley are fully fit after both featured in a friendly played today, recovering from earlier absences. Gasperini has minor doubts in defence but expects to field Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso as his back three, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for a place after returning from a trip overseas. Marten de Roon will replace Bryan Cristante in midfield alongside Manu Koné, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the flanks. Rodrigo Mora is set to start as an attacking midfielder, ahead of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Roma's probable formation: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.

Slim Bouaskar, a goalkeeper born and raised in Rome who chose to represent Tunisia internationally, has been named by The Guardian among the world's most talented and promising players born in 2009. Though largely unknown to Roma's supporters, Bouaskar continues to impress in the club's youth ranks and at the U17 World Championship. He has not yet made a senior debut, but Ranieri gave him an opportunity following José Mourinho's words to him: "In a few years you will train with my team." Bouaskar's dream is to compete for the number one shirt with Mile Svilar in the coming years. The two goalkeepers speak often, and Svilar's recognition of the young talent underscores Bouaskar's standing within the club's goalkeeper contingent.

Roma travel to Como on Sunday at 12:30 with the aim of maintaining their position at the top of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Donyell Malen and Wesley are fully fit after both featured in a friendly played today, recovering from earlier absences. Gasperini has minor doubts in defence but expects to field Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso as his back three, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for a place after returning from a trip overseas. Marten de Roon will replace Bryan Cristante in midfield alongside Manu Koné, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the flanks. Rodrigo Mora is set to start as an attacking midfielder, ahead of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Roma's probable formation: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.

Roma will travel to Como in four days with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing his squad for the match. Bryan Cristante is unavailable through injury, while Donyell Malen and Wesley have trained separately but pose no fitness concerns. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné returned to Rome today following the international break, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi due back tomorrow. Como's prospects have improved ahead of the fixture. Moise Kean is recovering from muscle fatigue that forced him to leave the national team camp, and confidence is growing that he will feature against Roma. Como's director of sport Ludi addressed the upcoming match, saying: "It will undoubtedly be a stimulating match, extremely difficult against one of the strongest teams in the championship. We want to test ourselves seriously to prove we are their rivals." Michael Fabbri has been appointed as referee. Como's last meeting with Roma came in January, a 1–0 defeat at Atalanta where Scalvini scored an irregular goal after committing a foul on Mile Svilar.